Passenger aircraft emergency procedures

ABSTRACT

Passenger aircraft includes seats, display screens facing the seats, and oxygen masks. When oxygen masks are deployed, imperative imagery is displayed that urges the passenger to at least don their oxygen mask, then optionally help others, etc. In some of these embodiments, the passenger aircraft further includes input devices. Each passenger can enter an input that indicates they have donned the mask, so as to see further imagery for guidance. These inputs could be stored in the flight data recorder for subsequent analysis. In some embodiments, passengers enter self-reported data using the input devices. The self-reported data can be stored in the flight data recorder for subsequent analysis of situations, such as when oxygen masks have been deployed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/846,005, filed on Jul. 13, 2013, titled:“PASSENGER AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES”, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present description gives instances of passenger aircraft, systems,software and methods, the use of which may help overcome problems andlimitations of the prior art.

In some embodiments, passenger aircraft includes seats, display screensfacing the seats, and oxygen masks. When oxygen masks are deployed,imperative imagery is displayed that urges the passenger to at least dontheir oxygen mask, then optionally help others, etc. The imperativeimagery will be one more guide for the passenger, and especially helpfulif it will be difficult to hear an overhead verbal announcement, forexample due to noise.

In some of these embodiments, the passenger aircraft further includesinput devices. Each passenger can enter an input that indicates theyhave donned the mask, so as to see further imagery for guidance. Theseinputs could be stored in the flight data recorder for subsequentanalysis.

In some embodiments, passengers can enter self-reported data using theinput devices. The self-reported data can be stored in the flight datarecorder for subsequent analysis of situations, such as when oxygenmasks have been deployed.

These and other features and advantages of this description will becomemore readily apparent from the following Detailed Description, whichproceeds with reference to the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a mixed diagram that shows components of a portion of apassenger aircraft according to embodiments, in regular operation.

FIG. 1B is the diagram of the components of FIG. 1A, except during asample emergency operation, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a diagram of a display screen projecting a sample imageurging in English a passenger to don an oxygen mask, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2B is a diagram of the display screen of FIG. 2A, with a sampleimage following the image of FIG. 2A, suggesting to the passenger tocontinue when they have donned the oxygen mask, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2C is a diagram of the display screen of FIG. 2B, with a sampleimage following the image of FIG. 2B, after the passenger indicates thatthey have donned the oxygen mask, urging the passenger to help othersdon their oxygen masks, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2D is a diagram of the display screen of FIG. 2C, with a sampleimage following the image of FIG. 2C, suggesting to the passenger tocontinue when they have helped others don their oxygen masks, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of sample computer system according to embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a display screen displaying a sample languageprompt for a passenger to indicate a language they would prefer to use,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a display screen displaying a sample image urgingin French a passenger to don an oxygen mask, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a display screen displaying a sample image urgingin Chinese a passenger to don an oxygen mask, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a display screen displaying a sample image urgingin Greek a passenger to don an oxygen mask, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for illustrating methods according to embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a display screen displaying a sample image with aself-report prompt for a passenger to enter their name, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sample paths of self-reported datatraveling from some seats to a flight data recorder.

FIG. 111 is a flowchart for illustrating methods according toembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As has been mentioned, the present description is about passengeraircraft, systems, software and methods. Embodiments are now describedin more detail.

FIG. 1A is a mixed diagram that shows components 100 of a portion of apassenger aircraft according to embodiments, in regular operation. FIG.1B is the diagram of the components of FIG. 1A, except during a sampleemergency operation, according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B aredifferential drawings, in that they can be compared for theirsimilarities, and contrasted for their differences.

Components 100 include a fuselage 101. Within fuselage 101 there is aflight data recorder 179, and a cabin with a floor 188 and a ceiling 189that is often pressurized during flight.

Components 100 also include seats 104, 105 for passengers to sit in. Itwill be understood that the passenger aircraft will have more suchpassenger seats.

Components 100 additionally include an oxygen mask 120. Oxygen mask 120is stored above seat 105 and so oxygen mask 120 can be said to be in thestored position. In this example, oxygen mask 120 is stored in acompartment 121, and the stored position is thus within compartment 121,as seen in FIG. 1A. Compartment 121 can be opened if needed, as seen inFIG. 1B.

Components 100 moreover include a releasing mechanism 122. Releasingmechanism 122 is configured to release oxygen mask 120 from the storedposition to a deployed position relative to seat 105, as seen in FIG.1B. The deployed position is such that a passenger seated in seat 105can don, or put on or wear, oxygen mask 120 by first reaching for itwith his hands. In this example, where oxygen mask 120 is stored incompartment 121, releasing mechanism 122 opens a door of compartment 121so as to allow oxygen mask 120 to merely drop to the deployed position,and be suspended by its oxygen tube(s).

Components 100 further include a memory 130. Optionally, memory 130 ispart of a computer system, as will be described later in this document.Memory 130 can be configured to store emergency imperative data 134.Data 134 may be responsible for the imperative imagery that will bediscussed later. Data 134 could be organized and stored in one or moredata files.

Components 100 also include a display screen 152. Display screen 152 isconfigured to display one or more images to a passenger seated in seat105, by being mounted in the back of passenger seat 104. It will beunderstood that additional display screens are provided for passengersseated in additional seats.

Referring to FIG. 1B, display screen 152 can be configured to displaydue to emergency imperative data 134, which can be performed bydirecting data 134 to display screen 152. Due to data 134, displayscreen 152 can be configured to display imperative imagery. Theimperative imagery may urge the passenger in seat 105 to at least donoxygen mask 120 immediately, i.e. at a time that the imperative imageryis being displayed. Examples of the imperative imagery will be seenlater in this document.

Components 100 also include an activation mechanism 137. Activationmechanism 137 can be configured to cause releasing mechanism 122 torelease oxygen mask 120 to the deployed position. Activation mechanism137 can be configured to cause display screen 152 to display due toemergency imperative data 134, concurrently with oxygen mask 120 beingin the deployed position.

Activation mechanism 137 may be implemented in any number of ways. Insome embodiments, such as in the example of FIG. 1B, activationmechanism 137 directly causes releasing mechanism 122 to release oxygenmask 120 to the deployed position, and also directly causes displayscreen 152 to display due to emergency imperative data 134.

In other embodiments, activation mechanism 137 directly causes only thefirst of the two actions, and the second action takes place because thefirst action happened. So, activation mechanism 137 could directly causereleasing mechanism 122 to release the oxygen mask 120, while displayscreen 152 is caused to display responsive to releasing mechanism 122releasing oxygen mask 120. Or, activation mechanism 137 could directlycause display screen 152 to display, and releasing mechanism 122releases responsive to display screen 152 being caused to display.

In some embodiments, such as in the example of FIG. 1B, activationmechanism 137 is a standalone module. It can be operable by a crewmember of the passenger aircraft. Or, the passenger aircraft can alsohave a pressure monitor, which configured to issue an alarm if an airpressure within the cabin drops below a threshold, in that case, theactivation mechanism can be operable automatically, responsive to theissued alarm. Other embodiments are described later in this document.

The imperative imagery displayed to the passenger is now described inmore detail. If there is in-flight entertainment, it is preferablydiscontinued or overridden. The imperative imagery can include one ormore portions, such as fixed images, video, a combination, and so on.The imperative imagery can be designed so as to attract the attention ofthe passenger. For example, at least a portion of the imperative imagerycan be displayed as flashing. Examples of individual images and featuresare now described.

FIG. 2A is a diagram of a display screen 252 according to an embodiment,which could also be display screen 152. Display screen 252 projects asample image 254, which can be a portion of the imperative imagery.Image 254 urges in the English language a passenger to don an oxygenmask, ostensibly the one in front of them. For this example, the mask ispresumed to be of yellow color, and the words identify also the color.Image 254 has both words and images, such as that of mask 120.

In some embodiments, an initial portion of the imperative imageryappears first. Then a subsequent portion of the imperative imageryappears later, for example at least three seconds after the initialportion has appeared. An example is now described.

The initial portion of the imperative imagery could be the abovedescribed image of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B is a diagram of display screen 252,with a sample image 255 following image 254, according to an embodiment.Image 255 will not appear for enough time, so as to preventunnecessarily distracting the passenger from donning the oxygen mask.Image 255, in this example, suggests to the passenger to continue whenthey have donned the oxygen mask by touching the screen, in this examplewhere the display screen is also a touchscreen.

In some embodiments, the passenger aircraft also includes an inputdevice, which is not shown separately. Such an input device ispreferably provided for each passenger seat. In some of theseembodiments, the display screen includes a touchscreen, and thetouchscreen is the input device. In other embodiments, the input devicecan include buttons, a moveable cursor, a keyboard that is real or onlyshown as an image, and so on. The input device can be configured toenable the passenger to enter inputs, so the passenger can enter inputsusing the input device.

In such embodiments, a first portion of the imperative imagery mayappear first. For example, images 254 and 255 may be that first portion.Further, the imperative imagery may include a continuation prompt. Inthe example of FIG. 2B, the continuation prompt is image 255. In suchcases, a second portion of the imperative imagery may appear only afterthe passenger has entered a continuation input in the input device,responsive to the continuation prompt. In this case, a second portion ofthe imperative imagery may be what is shown in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2C is a diagram of display screen 252. A sample image 256 followsimage 254, and also image 255 according to an embodiment. Image 256 willappear after the passenger has indicated that they have donned theoxygen mask, by entering the continuation input requested by image 255.Image 256, in this example, urges the passenger to help others don theiroxygen masks.

FIG. 2D is a diagram of display screen 252, with a sample image 257appearing after image 256, according to an embodiment. Image 257 couldappear after image 256 after a delay, for example in the same way thatimage 255 followed sample image 254 in transitioning from FIG. 2A toFIG. 2B. Sample image 257 suggests to the passenger to continue, whenthey have helped others don their oxygen masks.

What was true for the second portion of the imperative imagery may alsobe true for a third. Particularly, the second portion of the imperativeimagery may include another, second continuation prompt. In such cases,a third portion of the imperative imagery may appear only after thepassenger has entered another continuation input, responsive to theother second continuation prompt. An example is now described.

The second portion of the imagery could be the above described image ofFIG. 2D. Upon touching as suggested by sample image 257, the displaycould then show a third portion of the imperative imagery. An example ofsuch a third portion will be described later, with reference to FIG. 9.

In some embodiments, a record is stored in the flight data recorder ofthe continuation input or inputs that the passenger made. This is datathat can be analyzed afterwards, in association with the whole event ofdeploying the oxygen masks.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of sample computer system 310, made according toembodiments. Computer system 310 could be on board a passenger aircraft.Many of the embodiments could be implemented by a computer system, suchas computer system 310.

Computer system 310 includes a processor 320. Processor 320 may he aprocessor programmable for a general purpose, or dedicated processor,such as a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor(DSP), etc.

Computer system 310 includes, coupled with processor 320, a nontransitory storage medium such as memory 330. Memory 330 can becomputer-readable, or readable by processor 320. Memory 330 is anexample of, and could be, memory 130. The non-transitory storage mediumincludes, but is not limited to, a volatile memory, a non-volatilememory (NVM), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), amagnetic disk storage medium, an optical storage medium, a smart card, aflash memory device, etc. Memory 330 stores data 334, which may includethe above described emergency imperative data 134. Memory 330 alsostores one or more programs 332 that may be executed by processor 320.More particularly, programs 332 can include instructions in the form ofcode, which processor 320 may he able to execute upon reading. Executingis performed by physical manipulations of physical quantities, and mayresult in functions, processes, actions and/or methods to be performed,and/or processor 320 to cause other devices or components or blocks toperform such functions, processes, actions and/or methods. So, whenprograms 332 are executed by processor 320, they can result in theembodiments described in this document. For example, computer system 310can be in communication with any one of the display screens, the inputdevices, the activation mechanism and so on. An example is nowdescribed.

It was previously described how activation mechanism 137 can be astandalone module. In other embodiments, however, activation mechanism137 can be combined with computer system 310, or be implemented withincomputer system 310 in part or completely. In such embodiments, perhapsthere is no standalone activation mechanism 137, but the above-mentionedaction by a crew member or issued alarm can generate an activation inputthat is received by computer system 310. In such cases, display screen152 can display responsive to the activation input being received.

Returning to FIGS. 2A-2D, it will be observed that the imperativeimagery was in English. While that serves well the English speakingtravelers, embodiments also accommodate those who would prefer adifferent language.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a display screen 452, which could also be displayscreen 152 or 252. Display screen 452 displays a sample language prompt455, according to an embodiment. Language prompt 455 may help apassenger indicate a language they would prefer to use. In thisparticular case, language prompt 455 shows flags of different nations.The passenger can choose by using an above described input device. Whenthat happens, the displayed imperative imagery includes at least oneword in the indicated language. Examples are now described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a display screen 552. Display screen 552 displaysa sample image 554, according to an embodiment. Image 554 urges in theFrench language a passenger to don an oxygen mask. Display screen 552also displays a sample image 555, which may appear after image 554.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a display screen 652. Display screen 653 displaysa sample image 654, according to an embodiment. Image 654 urges in theChinese language a passenger to don an oxygen mask. Display screen 652also displays a sample image 655, which may appear after image 654.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a display screen 752. Display screen 752 displaysa sample image 754, according to an embodiment. Image 754 urges in theGreek language a passenger to don an oxygen mask. Display screen 752also displays a sample image 755, which may appear after image 754.

By way of explanation, in these cases, the language of the imperativeimagery each time is controlled by which emergency imperative data isused every time. The language indicated when the language prompt of FIG.4 was used may results in selection of the appropriate data file withemergency imperative data. Such may be accomplished also by software, asnow described.

Methods and algorithms are described below. These methods and algorithmsare not necessarily inherently associated with any particular logicdevice or other apparatus. Rather, they are advantageously implementedby programs for use by a computing machine, such as computer system 310.Often, for the sake of convenience only, it is preferred to implementand describe a program as various interconnected distinct softwaremodules or features, individually and collectively also known assoftware. This is not necessary, however, and there may be cases wheremodules are equivalently aggregated into a single program, even withunclear boundaries. In some instances, software is combined withhardware, in a mix called firmware. This detailed description includesflowcharts, display images, algorithms, and symbolic representations ofprogram operations within at least one computer readable medium. Aneconomy is achieved in that a single set of flowcharts is used todescribe both programs, and also methods. So, while flowcharts describedmethods in terms of boxes, they also concurrently describe programs.

Particular methods are now described. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart 800 fordescribing methods according to embodiments. The methods of flowchart800 may also be practiced by embodiments described above, and also by apassenger aircraft that includes a seat configured for a passenger tosit in, a display screen facing the seat, an oxygen mask in a storedposition and a release mechanism as described above.

According to an optional operation 810, an indicated language by apassenger is input. The passenger could be seated in the seat. Operation810 may be accomplished in any number of ways. One such way is todisplay a language prompt, such as in FIG. 4, for the passenger toindicate the indicated language.

According to another, optional operation 820, at least one data file isselected, from a plurality of data files, responsive to the indicatedlanguage. The selected data file includes emergency imperative data, andfile may be optionally selected according to availability. The data filemay be selected so that the imperative imagery that would be eventuallydisplayed includes at least one word in the indicated language, if suchdata file is available. Else the data file is selected so that theimperative imagery that would be eventually displayed includes at leastone word in a default language. The default language can be a languageof one of the origin and the destination of a flight of the aircraft.

Operations 810 and 820 may be accomplished even before takeoff, as apassenger has sat in their seat. If a data file has been selected, itcan then be loaded in memory 130 in lieu of another data file for adifferent language.

According to another, optional operation 830, it can be queried whetheran activation input has been received. An activation input has beenreceived as described above. If not, it may mean regular operation ofthe passenger aircraft. Operation 830 may recycle, even after thepassenger aircraft has taken off.

If, at operation 830, an activation input has been received then,according to another operation 840, oxygen masks are released. Moreparticularly, an oxygen mask can be released, e.g. by the releasingmechanism, from the stored position to a deployed position relative tothe seat of a passenger.

According to another operation 850, imperative imagery is displayed dueto the emergency imperative data. The imperative imagery may urge apassenger seated in the seat to at least don the oxygen mask at a timethat the imperative imagery is being displayed. All of what was writtenabove also applies, for example about portions of the imagery. Operation850 may happen concurrently with operation 840. If a data file has beenselected at operation 820, then that is the data file whose emergencyimperative data is used for the displaying of operation 850. Accordinglythe displayed imperative imagery could include at least one word in theindicated language.

According to another, optional operation 860, self-reported data isinput, which has been entered by the passenger. An example ofself-reported data was when the passenger entered continuation prompts,such as in response to image 255 of FIG. 2B and to image 257 of FIG. 2D.More examples of such self-reported data are given later in thisdocument.

According to another, optional operation 870, the inputted self-reporteddata is stored in the flight data recorder of the passenger aircraft.Examples of operation 870 are also described later in this document.

Embodiments are now described where passengers enter self-reported datathat is stored in the data flight recorder. These embodiments use manyof the concepts described above, as some of the embodiments above usethe concepts below. These embodiments do not necessarily need thatoperation be an emergency operation of any sort, such as with deployingoxygen masks. However, these embodiments are also applicable to someemergency operations. As such, the entering and the storing can happenwhile the passenger aircraft is in flight.

For some of these embodiments, an input device is provided for apassenger, as described above. Preferably a display screen is also used.In some of those cases, the display screen may include a touchscreen,which could be the input device.

In some embodiments, the display screen is configured to display to thepassenger imagery that includes a self-report prompt. For some of theseembodiments, a language prompt, such as language prompt 454, isdisplayed in the display screen for the passenger to indicate alanguage. In these embodiments, the self-report prompt may include atleast one word in the indicated language.

The imagery could be the imperative imagery described above, but that isnot necessary. In such cases, the passenger may enter the self-reporteddata responsive to the self-report prompt. The self-report prompt couldinclude a question, and the self-reported data may include an answer tothe question, which has been entered by the passenger. An example is nowdescribed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a display screen 952. Display screen 952 displaysa sample image 954, according to an embodiment. Image 954 includes aself-report prompt for a passenger to enter their name. The name foreach seat would ordinarily be known from the passenger manifest, butpassengers sometimes switch seats once on-board.

In some embodiments of asking the passenger's name, the self-reportprompt could further include a proposed name, which is looked up from apassenger manifest. Those embodiments, however, carry the risk thatsomeone else can find a passenger's name.

In some embodiments, the seat has an associated seat number. In thosecases, the inputted self-reported data can be stored in association withthe seat number. Moreover, in some embodiments, an indication of time isstored in association with the seat number. This way it can be knownwhat time entries were made.

FIG. 10 shows a row of seats 1004 and another row of seats 1005. Theseats of FIG. 10 are similar to seats 104, 105. There may be additionalrows behind the row of seats 1005. FIG. 10 shows a flight data recorder1079 that is an example of flight data recorder 179, and an optionalcomputer system 1010 that is an example of computer system 310.Self-reported data travels from seats 1004, 1005, to flight datarecorder 1079.

In some embodiments, computer system 1010 is not provided, or does notparticipate in storing self-reported data to flight data recorder 1079.In other embodiments, computer system 1010 receives the self-reporteddata and stores it to flight data recorder 1079.

FIG. 11 shows as flowchart 1100 for describing methods according toembodiments. The methods of flowchart 1100 may also be practiced byembodiments described above, including a passenger aircraft that has aflight data recorder, a seat configured for a passenger to sit in, andan input device configured to enable a passenger seated in the seat toenter self-reported data.

According to an option& operation 1105 a language prompt is displayed.This can be performed as described above, for example with reference toFIG. 4.

According to another, optional operation 1110, an indicated language bya passenger is input. This can be performed similarly with operation810.

According to another, optional operation 1120, at least one data file isselected, from a plurality of data files, responsive to the indicatedlanguage. This can be performed similarly with operation 820.

According to another, optional operation 1155, a self-report prompt isdisplayed. Examples are shown in FIGS. 2B, 2D and 9.

According to another operation 1160, self-reported data is input, whichhas been entered by the passenger. This can be performed similarly withoperation 860.

According to another operation 1170, the inputted self-reported data isstored in the flight data recorder of the passenger aircraft.

In the methods described above, each operation can be performed as anaffirmative step of doing, or causing to happen, what is written thatcan take place. Such doing or causing to happen can be by the wholesystem or device, or just one or more components of it, in addition, theorder of operations is not constrained to what is shown, and differentorders may be possible according to different embodiments. Moreover, incertain embodiments, new operations may be added, or individualoperations may be modified or deleted. The added operations can be, forexample, from what is mentioned while primarily describing a differentsystem, device or method.

This description includes one or more examples, but that does not limithow the invention may be practiced. Indeed, examples or embodiments ofthe invention may be practiced according to what is described, or yetdifferently and also in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should notbe taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that thisprior art forms parts of the common general knowledge in any country.

A person skilled in the art will be able to practice the presentinvention in view of this description, which is to be taken as a whole.Details have been included to provide a thorough understanding. In otherinstances, well-known aspects have not been described, in order to notobscure unnecessarily the present invention.

Other embodiments include combinations and sub-combinations of featuresdescribed herein, including for example, embodiments that are equivalentto: providing or applying a feature in a different order than in adescribed embodiment; extracting an individual feature from oneembodiment and inserting such feature into another embodiment; removingone or more features from an embodiment; or both removing a feature froman embodiment and adding a feature extracted from another embodiment,while providing the advantages of the features incorporated in suchcombinations and sub combinations.

The following claims define certain combinations and subcombinations ofelements, features and steps or operations, which are regarded as noveland non-obvious. Additional claims for other such combinations andsubcombinations may be presented in this or a related document.

1. A passenger aircraft comprising: a fuselage; a seat within thefuselage configured for a passenger to sit in; an oxygen mask stored ina stored position above the seat; a releasing mechanism configured torelease the oxygen mask from the stored position to a deployed positionrelative to the seat; a memory configured to store emergency imperativedata; a display screen configured to display one or more images to apassenger seated in the seat, in which the display screen is configuredto display, due to the emergency imperative data imperative imagery thaturges the passenger to at least don the oxygen mask at a time that theimperative imagery is being displayed; and an activation mechanismconfigured to cause the releasing mechanism to release the oxygen maskto the deployed position, and also to cause the display screen todisplay due to the emergency imperative data, concurrently with theoxygen mask being in the deployed position.
 2. The passenger aircraft ofclaim 1, in which the activation mechanism causes the releasingmechanism to release the oxygen mask, and the display screen is causedto display responsive to the releasing mechanism releasing the oxygenmask.
 3. The passenger aircraft of claim 1, in which the activationmechanism causes the display screen to display, and the releasingmechanism releases the oxygen mask responsive to the display screenbeing caused to display.
 4. The passenger aircraft of claim 1, furthercomprising: a cabin within the fuselage, and in which the activationmechanism is operable by a crew member of the passenger aircraft.
 5. Thepassenger aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: a cabin within thefuselage; and a pressure monitor configured to issue an alarm if an allpressure within the cabin drops below a threshold, and in which theactivation mechanism is operable automatically, responsive to the issuedalarm.
 6. The passenger aircraft of claim 1, in which at least a portionof the imperative imagery is displayed as flashing.
 7. The passengeraircraft of claim 1, in which an initial portion of the imperativeimagery appears first, and a subsequent portion of the imperativeimagery appears at least three seconds after the initial portion hasappeared.
 8. The passenger aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: aninput device configured to enable the passenger to enter inputs, and inwhich in first portion of the imperative imagery appears first, andincludes a continuation prompt, and a second portion of the imperativeimagery appears only after the passenger has entered a continuationinput in the input device, responsive to the continuation prompt.
 9. Thepassenger aircraft of claim 8, in which the display screen includes atouchscreen, and the touchscreen is the input device.
 10. The passengeraircraft of claim 8, in which the second portion of the imperativeimagery includes another, second continuation prompt, and a thirdportion of the imperative imagery appears only after the passenger hasentered another continuation input, responsive to the other, secondcontinuation prompt.
 11. The passenger aircraft of claim 8, furthercomprising: a flight data recorder within the fuselage, and in which arecord is stored in the flight data recorder of the entered continuationinput.
 12. The passenger aircraft of claim 1, further comprising: aninput device accessible to a passenger seated in the seat, and in whicha language is indicated via the input device, and the displayedimperative imagery includes at least one word in the indicated language.13. The passenger aircraft of claim 12, in which the display screenincludes a touchscreen, and the touchscreen is the input device.
 14. Acomputer system for a passenger aircraft including a seat configured fora passenger to sit in, a display screen facing the seat, an oxygen maskin a stored position and a release mechanism, the computer systemcomprising: a processor and a non-transitory storage medium coupled withthe processor, the storage medium storing emergency imperative data andone or more programs which, when executed by the processor, result in:the release mechanism releasing the oxygen mask from the stored positionto a deployed position relative to the seat; and the display screendisplaying, due to the emergency imperative data, imperative imagerythat urges it passenger seated in the seat to at least don the oxygenmask at a time that the imperative imagery is being displayed,concurrently with the oxygen mask being in the deployed position. 15-27.(canceled)
 28. A method for a passenger aircraft that includes a seatconfigured for a passenger to sit in, a display screen facing the seat,an oxygen mask in a stored position and a release mechanism, the methodcomprising: releasing the oxygen mask from the stored position to adeployed position relative to the seat; and displaying in the displayscreen imperative imagery that urges a passenger seated in the seat toat least don the oxygen mask at a time, that the imperative imagery isbeing displayed, concurrently with the oxygen mask being in the deployedposition. 29-41. (canceled)
 42. A passenger aircraft, comprising; afuselage; a seat within the fuselage configured for a passenger to sitin; an input device configured to enable a passenger seated in the seatto enter self-reported data; and a flight data recorder within thefuselage configured to store the self-reported data.
 43. The passengeraircraft of claim 42, in which the self-reported data is entered by thepassenger and stored in the flight data recorder while the passengeraircraft is in flight.
 44. The passenger aircraft of claim 42, furthercomprising: a display screen.
 45. The passenger aircraft of claim 44, inwhich the display screen includes a touchscreen, and the touchscreen isthe input device.
 46. The passenger aircraft of claim 42, furthercomprising: is display screen configured to display to the passengerimagery including a self-report prompt, and in which the passengerenters the self-reported data responsive to the self-report prompt. 47.The passenger aircraft of claim 46, in which a language prompt isdisplayed in the display screen for the passenger to indicate alanguage, and the self-report prompt includes at least one word in theindicated language.
 48. The passenger aircraft of claim 46, in which theself-report prompt includes a question, and the self-reported dataincludes an answer to the question, which is entered by the passenger.49. The passenger aircraft of claim 48, in which the question includesthe passenger's name, and the self-report prompt further includes aproposed name looked up from a passenger manifest.
 50. The passengeraircraft of claim 42, in which the seat has an associated seat number;and the inputted self-reported data is stored in association, with theseat number.
 51. The passenger aircraft of claim 42, in which anindication of time is stored in association with the seat number.
 52. Acomputer system for a passenger aircraft including a flight datarecorder, a seat configured for a passenger to sit in and an inputdevice accessible to a passenger seated in the seat, the computer systemcomprising: a processor and a non-transitory storage medium coupled withthe processor, the storage medium storing emergency imperative data andone or more programs which, when executed by the processor, result in:inputting the self-reported data; and storing the inputted sell-reporteddata in the flight data recorder. 53-59. (canceled)
 60. A method for apassenger aircraft including a flight data recorder, a seat configuredfor a passenger to sit in and an input device configured to enable apassenger seated in the seat to enter self-reported data, comprising:inputting the self-reported data; and storing the inputted self-reporteddata in the flight data recorder. 61-67. (canceled)